USES OF SODA

In chemical, paper, textile, glass, soap,
casting and detergent industries, petroleum refinery,
in production of sodium compounds.
The manufacture of glass is one of the most important uses of
sodium carbonate. When combined with silica and calcium carbonate
and heated to high temperatures, then cooled rapidly, glass
is produced. This type of glass is known as soda lime glass.

Sodium carbonate is also used as a relatively strong base
in various settings. For example, sodium carbonate is used
as a pH regulator to maintain stable alkaline conditions necessary
for the action of the majority of photographic developing
agents.

It is a common additive in municipal pools used to neutralize
the acidic effects of chlorine and raise pH.

In cooking, it is sometimes used in place of sodium hydroxide
for lyeing, especially with German pretzels and lye rolls.
These dishes are treated with a solution of an alkaline substance
in order to change the pH of the surface of the food and thus
improve browning.

In taxidermy, sodium carbonate added to boiling water will
remove flesh from the skull or bones of trophies to create
the "European skull mount" or for educational display
in biological and historical studies.

In chemistry, it is often used as an electrolyte. This is
because electrolytes are usually salt-based, and sodium carbonate
acts as a very good conductor in the process of electrolysis.
In addition, unlike chloride ions, which form chlorine gas,
carbonate ions are not corrosive to the anodes. It is also
used as a primary standard for acid-base titrations because
it is solid and air-stable, making it easy to weigh accurately.